Viral Campaign to Revive Spirit Airlines Draws $337M in Pledges and Union Backing
The viral effort has drawn backing from more than 370,000 supporters and the Spirit flight attendants union, while experts warn of major legal hurdles.
- On Saturday, May 2, Spirit Airlines ceased operations, prompting content creator Hunter Peterson to launch a viral crowdfunding campaign; by Friday, Peterson secured a legal fund with pledges totaling $337 million.
- Rising fuel costs and inability to secure liquidity forced Spirit Airlines to cease operations after years of financial losses, following two bankruptcy filings between 2024 and 2025 that left the carrier with around $8.1 billion in debt.
- Peterson modeled the 'Spirit 2.0' campaign after the Green Bay Packers' ownership structure, aiming for community-led control, while Spirit's 5,500-member flight attendant union publicly backed the effort.
- Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson urged Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to deploy federal resources for displaced workers, calling for prioritized compensation payments and healthcare coverage through the 2026 plan year.
- Experts warn the plan faces immense legal and financial challenges, including Department of Transportation fitness tests and SEC registration complexities; analysts emphasize Spirit likely requires upwards of $1 billion to resume operations, far exceeding current pledges.
46 Articles
46 Articles
Viral TikTok Campaign Aims to ‘Buy’ Defunct Spirit Airlines, Amasses $335M in Pledges
NEW YORK (VINnews) – Just one week after budget carrier Spirit Airlines ceased operations, a grassroots effort launched by a TikTok creator has drawn more than $335 million in non-binding pledges from people hoping to revive the airline through public ownership. Voice actor and social media personality Hunter Peterson sparked the movement with a viral […]
Who is Hunter Peterson and how did his viral ‘Spirit 2.0’ campaign draw over $200 million in pledged crowdfunding?
A viral crowdfunding campaign called “Let’s Buy Spirit” emerged after Spirit Airlines shut down operations. The initiative claims hundreds of millions in pledges but faces major financial and legal hurdles.
NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
NBC Boston'Get in loser, we’re buying Spirit': One man’s viral plan to revive the airline
Spirit Airlines was the budget-friendly carrier America loved to hate. But now that it’s out of business, a viral crowdfunding campaign is attempting to resurrect the bankrupt airline. Once Hunter Peterson heard Spirit would close on May 2 — after attempts to merge with other airlines or get a lifeline from the federal government — the 22-year-old voice actor and content creator posted on social media that day with an idea to revive the airline.…
TikTok creator's crowdfunding campaign to buy Spirit Airlines racks up more than $335M in pledges
One week after Spirit Airlines shut down operations, a new campaign to save the budget carrier has gained traction online, with more than $335 million in pledges.TikTok creator Hunter Peterson posted a video last weekend proposing a plan to purchase Spirit through crowdfunding.In the video, which has garnered more than 7 million views, Peterson suggested that if enough people contributed, the airline could be revived."This is a genius idea: We n…
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